Tag Archives: education

Beyond Bieber: Twitter Improves Student Learning

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Twitter, best known as the 140-character social-networking site where Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga chit-chat with fans, has become a new literary format that is improving student learning, a new study argues.

Christine Greenhow, assistant professor of education at Michigan State University, found that college students who tweet as part of their instruction are more engaged with the course content and with the teacher and other students, and have higher grades.

“Tweeting can be thought of as a new literary practice,” said Greenhow, who also studies the growing use of social media among high-schoolers. “It’s changing the way we experience what we read and what we write.” (more…)

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Research Shows Mobile Apps Help Students Learn

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – New research from the University of Maryland has found that mobile Apps – and even text messages – enhanced learning and produced a richer learning experience for college students.

Two introductory media courses, open to all majors, are taught in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism by Professor Ronald Yaros. Since 2005, Yaros has been testing how younger audiences engage with, and learn from, digital information.

“Blending technology with learning produced measurable outcomes from mobile tasks, assignments, text messages, and assessments,” says Yaros. (more…)

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Global Health: Students Build Wiki of Medical Devices Designed for Low-Income Countries

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— In parts of the world without reliable electricity, a pedal-powered nebulizer could provide life-saving asthma treatments. Small wax-filled sleeping bags could keep premature infants warm. A salad spinner centrifuge for blood samples could help clinicians diagnose anemia.

University of Michigan researchers have cataloged more than 100 such technologies in a new wiki of medical devices designed for resource-limited settings. The Global Health Medical Device Compendium, an open-source inventory, is hosted by the popular appropriate technology wiki Appropedia. It is expected to serve as an important communication vehicle for end users, non-governmental organizations, researchers and others to help advance such technologies. (more…)

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Homeland Security Chief Speaks About Challenges Facing U.S., Global Cooperation

The United States is stronger and more secure than it was prior to 9/11, but threats from overseas remain and must be proactively managed, said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who visited campus April 16 for a public talk sponsored by the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations.

In a globalized world, international cooperation is the key to identifying those who intend to do harm, she said, adding that threats to the global supply chain, the activities of drug and human smuggling organizations, and the prevalence of cyber-criminals who attempt to steal information and intellectual property and disrupt critical networks are among the major challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security. (more…)

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Report: Higher Ed Holds Key to Boost Arizona Economy

A multi-year report says the UA is a driver in the state’s economic development, but more coordination is needed among schools, business and the Legislature.

The University of Arizona and the state’s other colleges and universities have what it takes to produce the expertise needed to improve Arizona’s economy, says an international agency that has been monitoring the region for several years. (more…)

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3 Google Tools that Can Have a Major Impact on Learning and Education

Google is undoubtedly the god of the internet and technology in today’s society. As the number one search engine on the web and the leader in internet and device technology, Google is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Some of the smartest and most creative brains in the industry are working for the tech giant, developing new tools, applications, and websites to further education and access online.

There’s no denying that Google has revolutionized the way in which the internet is used. That being said, Google has also had an immeasurable impact on the world of academics. With endless information right at our fingertips and unbelievable tools available at all times, Google has created tools for learning that in many cases haven’t even been fully realized. These three Google creations are amazing tools that can impact and improve learning and education around the world. (more…)

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Educational Disadvantages Associated With Race Still Persist in Brazil Despite Improvements, New Study Shows

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite notable improvements in educational levels and opportunity during the past three decades, disadvantages associated with race still persist in Brazil, according to new research at The University of Texas at Austin.

Although educational advantages for white over black and pardo (mixed-race) adolescents declined considerably in Brazil, the gap is still significant, with whites completing nearly one year more of education. (more…)

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The Wondrous World of Insects

*UA Insect Discovery program facilitators have spent years teaching Tucson area youth about the lives of insects while also encouraging them to pursue higher education and studies in science. The program is getting even more financial backing and other support.*

Holding a square, plastic container, Kathleen Walker turned toward the captivated group of dozens of elementary school students seated before her.

She asked: “Do you think there’s a cow in here?” The kindergarteners respond in unison: “No!” Walker smiled a bit. “No, that would be silly, right?” (more…)

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